Digital Blog Post B

Technology is such an amazing advancement that we have available today. However, gaining access to it can be a difficult task. Especially when you wish to have enough tablets for each student. "In recent years, a constant squeeze between the need for expanded technological capabilities and declining educational budgets has forced schools to curtail their technology goals." (31) Budget cuts have many times left technology advances in the hands of teachers. Teachers are utilizing websites such as gofundme.com, fundraisers and asking parents for donations in order to get funds for technologies.

A Student-Centered approach to learning is a style that I will lean to as a teacher. As a student, I learn better with a more natural approach incorporating real world, group activities, and discussions amongst peers so in turn I believe that I will teach better incorporating that style as well. I truly believe that when something is taught incorporating a real world aspect it is more easily remembered. I love the idea of allowing students the freedom to bounce ideas, thoughts, and solutions around on each other. A challenge for me as a teacher will be learning how to teach in styles that are outside of my comfort zone. 

I got really excited when I saw, on page 35 in Connections & Possibilities, that the topic was on TED talks. I absolutely love TED talks. I do not recall seeing any as of yet that might be suitable for elementary age students but I could definitely find it useful for high school. 

According to the book TED launched TED-Ed which is a website for teachers. The website is: http://ed.ted.com/. The website is amazing! It allows you to make lessons around any of the TED videos or even something found on Youtube. This is something I intend on using in my own classroom!

Resources 

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Fastest Way to Create Comic Strips and Cartoons - Toondoo. (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2016, from http://www.toondoo.com/

Create a design. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2016, from https://www.canva.com/

Lessons Worth Sharing | TED-Ed. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2016, from http://ed.ted.com/